FORMER Scotland striker has already had his bladder and prostate removed but the 76-year-old must go under the knife again to try to stop the spread of the disease.

The former Scotland star has had his bladder and prostate removed. And he faces more surgery in the coming weeks.

Ian said: “The prognosis is not good because I’ve got to go back.

“But if they can sort it this time, then, hopefully...”

Ian, who turned 76 on Saturday, spent two weeks in hospital in April.

And despite more treatment looming, he is already back at the gym and determined to get fit again.

Ian said: “There is nothing you can do about it other than battle on.

“There is no point in crying about it and saying, ‘Poor me’.

“People who have had it will tell you, ‘You can get fit again’.

“I’m getting back to a certain fitness level and gradually getting fitter. I’ve got a little gym at home and do a little bit, gradually building up.”

From left to right, Scotland manager Andy Beattie with John White, Graham Leggat, Berti Auld, Ian St John and Denis Law in 1954

Ian, who has 21 caps for Scotland and was one of Liverpool’s all-time greatest players, said he had bladder cancer for two to three years.

He said: “We weren’t too bothered about that as we felt it was contained.”

But he added: “Cancer, it creeps around down there and the problem had gone from my bladder into the prostate. The decision was made to remove both of them. That was done eight to 10 weeks ago.”

Ian, who lives on Merseyside with wife Betsy, 67, said: “To anyone reading this who has got cancer in the areas that I have, you will get through it. It is a day to day thing, but you just battle through it.”

Ian entertained millions, both on the pitch and later on TV as part of a famous pundit double act with former England and Spurs star Jimmy Greaves.

Their Saturday lunch-time show Saint and Greavsie ran for seven years from 1985.

Last night, Greaves, 74, said: “I am well aware of how unwell Ian is.

Ian St John during his days presenting football show Saint and Greavsy with Jimmy Greaves

“I spoke to him on the phone a couple of weeks ago and we had a very good chat and a good laugh about the coming World Cup.

“It goes without saying that me and my family wish him all the very best.”

Ian started his football career with home side Motherwell.

In 1961, he signed for Liverpool, where he stayed for a decade.

He played for Scotland between 1959 and 1965 and managed Motherwell and Portsmouth in the 1970s.